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9 Big Body Issues for Men

When you hear about body-consciousness, you probably think of a middle-aged mom who’s put on a few pounds or a teenage girl who’s hung up on Hollywood’s idea of perfection.

But women aren’t the only ones who obsess over having the perfect body. More than ever, men are opening up about their bruised body images. Recent research has shed light on the prevalence of male eating disorders (for example, a Harvard study found that men are one-third as likely as women to struggle with anorexia and bulimia) — and with “manscaping” services popping up everywhere (such as waxing and trimming and other forms of grooming), it’s hard for guys not to think twice about their looks.

The result? Too often, it’s a battered self-esteem, and this can take a big toll on a man’s sex life. In fact, research shows that 10 percent to 20 percent of erectile dysfunction cases are caused by psychological factors such as low self-esteem.

Here’s a look at the types of body image issues guys worry about most.

He's Got a Big Ol' Beer Belly

Any guy would love to have washboard abs. But men who are cursed with belly fat may be more than just uncomfortable with their body image — they may also have poor sexual health, according to Bruce B. Campbell, MD, a men's health specialist in Burlington, Mass. "It has been shown that belly fat makes hormones that contribute to blood vessel disease that can lead to erection problems," he says.

In fact, a 4-inch increase in waist size increases the chances of having low testosterone by 75 percent. If a man’s waist measures more than 40 inches, he should take steps to banish his belly fat (and the good news is that this type of fat responds well to diet and exercise).

He's Obese

About 32 percent of men in the United States are considered obese, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). And like belly fat, obesity can cause a slew of body image problems and is also linked to poor sexual health. Studies show that obesity lowers men's testosterone levels, which can in turn trigger erectile dysfunction.

If obesity is interfering with a man’s sex life, it's time he whips his diet and exercise habits into shape.

He's Scrawny

So he’s not a body builder — most guys aren’t. But if a man is preoccupied with the idea of being too scrawny (especially having a not-so-brawny-chest), he shares one of men's most common body image obsessions out there.

Between the ages 45 and 55, loss of muscle tone may be partly to blame. This tends to be when men's testosterone levels decline, which could result in some loss of muscle mass. By adding a little strength training into his workout mix, a man can maintain and improve his muscle strength.

He Has Breasts (Instead of That Manly Chest)

The phrase "man boobs" has a medical term — gynecomastia, and it may actually affect 40 percent to 55 percent of older men. Sagging breast tissue may stem from being overweight, but that’s not always the case. Gynecomastia can be caused by medical problems such as low testosterone, says Dr. Campbell. Certain prescription drugs can also contribute to it, as can excessive alcohol consumption.

For any man worried about “moobs,” the best thing to do is to get checked out by a doctor.

He Has Hair in Weird Places

Back hair, and shoulder tufts, and neck fur — oh my! Unwanted hair tends to lead to body image issues in men, says Campbell — and that can make him uncomfortable in the bedroom.

Men may want to consider laser treatment to zap those unwanted hair follicles. Another option for permanent hair removal is medical electrolysis, which destroys hair follicles using shortwave radio frequency. Temporary hair removal may include gels and creams called depilatories or body waxing.

He's Going Bald

Men in their 20s have a one in five chance of going bald — by 90, that chance increases to a whopping 90 percent. Prescription drugs may help, as can hair restoration surgery. But a man may also want to consider talk therapy if baldness is hurting his body image (and he should remember, “bald is beautiful” to many people). "Men who are self-confident are more likely to have good sexual health and a positive body image," Campbell notes.

Peee-Yew! He Has Bad Body Odor

Get a whiff of this: Worrying about how you smell can undermine a man’s body image — and it may even lead to problems in the bedroom.

Body odor starts with the sweat glands in the groin and armpit areas. The sweat itself has no odor — the smell is caused by bacteria that invade the sweat. Body odor can also come from foods like onions, garlic, and curry. Besides using a deodorant, men should watch what they eat and wash frequently — that should nip this body image problem in the bud.

He's an Excessive Sweater

Do you sweat more than your body needs to? This is called hyperhidrosis, and it affects 1 percent to 3 percent of the population. Such sweating can affect the palms and feet as well as the underarms, and it can be downright embarrassing.

There are treatments for excessive sweating, so men should talk with their doctor if their self-esteem is suffering. One Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment is Botox injection, which can stop excessive sweating for up to 10 months.

He Has Adult Acne

A face full of pimples is no joke. Severe acne has been shown to lead to depression and social anxiety, and it can take a massive toll on a man’s body image and sexual health (no one wants to be called “pizza face” in the middle of sex).

Who gets acne? About 25 percent of men will have it at some point, and it can occur at any age. Causes of acne in men may include stress and bacteria that are resistant to antibacterial soaps. For treating acne, skin care products containing bezoyl peroxide usually work well. Prescription medications may also be needed.

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